2004 Index of Stream Condition Scores

Brief description

The ISC2004_SCORES dataset represents the 2004 Index of Stream Condition (ISC) overall score and subindex scores for each ISC river reach in the state of Victoria. This was the second ISC assessment providing a snapshot of river health for major rivers and streams in Victoria, using data collected over a five-year period from 1999 to 2004. The methods used in 2004 differed to the 1999 assessment. Method changes were undertaken to strike a balance between incorporating new scientific advances while maintaining compariability of results with the 1999 benchmark. The 2004 ISC provides scores for five components of stream condition: (i) hydrology (based on change in volume and seasonality of flow from natural conditions); (ii) physical form (based on bank stability, influence of artificial barriers, and abundance and origin of coarse woody debris); (iii) streamside zone (based on types of plants; spatial extent, width, and intactness of riparian vegetation); (iv) water quality (based on an assessment of phosphorus, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH); and (v) aquatic life (based on number of families of macroinvertebrates). Further information available at: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/monitoring